THE people of Barfleur were disappointed not to see the Corinthian rowers but made great strides in the twinning efforts.

Lyme Regis resident Richard Horobin, also the town’s RNLI lifeboat press officer, was in Barfleur last week to see the villagers elect officers and adopt a constitution to take the scheme forward.

He was joined by Sheila Poupard, chairman of the Lyme Regis twinning steering group, and Lyme residents John and Jan Dover.

The people of Barfleur – on the Cherbourg peninsula with a population of 630 – are overwhelmingly in favour of twinning with Lyme Regis.

An enthusiastic group met last Thursday evening to elect officers, and they had hoped to welcome the rowers early the next morning.

Deputy mayor Michel Mauger said: “We are very sad that the rowers could not come to promote our twinning with Lyme Regis but, of course, we understand why they were unable to complete the crossing.”

A village meeting of around 30 Barfleurais spent two hours discussing plans and then elected a group of six officers to proceed.

Newly-elected president of the group Christiane Gancel, who has already visited Lyme Regis, said: “We feel we have so much in common with the town of Lyme Regis. We are a coastal village with a lovely harbour, and we have a small community who simply love where they live – just like the people of Lyme Regis.”

Barfleur, just 30 minutes drive from Cherbourg and the ferry port, is listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, and in the Middle Ages was the most important port in the country.

Mrs Poupard said: “We are delighted with the response of the people of Barfleur, and now look forward to forging strong links with them and their village.

“We are hoping to welcome a party from Barfleur to Lyme Regis in September.”

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the twinning association should contact Sheila on 07711 941570 or she941570@aol.com.